In the latest KLEKT interview, we sit down with hyper-realistic artist and self-certified sneakerhead Stephanie Morris. Over the past two years, Steph’s artistic talent has seen her gain respect from the likes of Virgil Abloh, Sean Wotherspoon and Donatella Versace, as well as collaborating with some of the biggest brands on the planet. The unparalleled talent and obsession for detail has allowed Steph to pursue her dream and draw full time.
We caught up with Steph earlier this month before she heads off to ComplexCon in Long Beach, California. The insightful and interesting conversation sees us discuss the importance of sneakers, art and creating unique content. Check out the interview below and head to Steph’s Instagram to see more of her incredible work.
Hi Steph! Thanks so much for sitting down with us today. Can you tell us a little about yourself and your story so far?
Not a problem! Thanks for having me. My name is Steph Morris, I’m from Chorley in Lancashire, which is a pretty small place with not much to do really. Growing up I was very much a tom boy, you would find me playing football in the street with the boys or climbing trees and I loved it. I actually wanted to go into Sport as a career but many knee injuries later I was unable to do so. That encouraged me to pick up the pencils when I became extremely frustrated at the world for not being able to do what I wanted. So without those injuries who knows where I would be now!
For those who aren’t familiar with your work, could you give a background about how you got into drawing all of these amazing sneakers?
It was actually by accident really and I never intended to do this as a career. Around five or six years ago I was trying to find some Nike Cortez artwork to go on my wall and I couldn’t find anything. I just thought “right, I’ll give it a go and draw it myself”. I drew it, put it up on my Instagram account which had around 30 followers at the time, and it just snowballed from there. So many people saw it and started asking me to draw more footwear. I had so much fun doing it that it planted the seed for me to start doing it more often. And the Cortez made its way from my bedroom wall to My mum’s living room wall! Haha.
That’s cool though, that it’s started small and now it’s got you working with some of the biggest brands in the world!
Yeah, it is. I’ve always been very creative and I’ve always loved footwear, so for me it was just a really enjoyable process from start to finish.
When did you make the decision to make a full-time career from your artwork?
I used to work as a Graphic Designer at size? full-time. I got an opportunity to go to New York with Reebok for the launch of the Future x Reebok InstaPump Fury. They called to ask if I was interested in working with them and obviously I said yes. They explained that they’d fly me out and take care of everything and I remember thinking “shit, I’m not going to be able to get the time off work.” Reebok actually made the decision for me in a way! I knew that I would have to take this risk and not look back.
The risk has certainly paid off so far and you’ve amassed quite a following, with Virgil Abloh, The Shoe Surgeon and Sean Wotherspoon all following you! What have been some of the highlights since you started gaining more recognition in the sneaker community?
As you’ve just said, it’s gaining the support and recognition of some of the most iconic and influential people in the industry. Having the likes of Virgil Abloh notice my work, for me, feels like I’ve come so far since I first started out drawing all those years ago. Not many saw the start of my career and all the setbacks. The difference of where I started a few years ago to now is oceans apart. To now have a platform where I am collaborating with brands that I love and wear every day is amazing.
Salehe Bembury’s instagram
I am in contact with designers and people who share the same creative passion as me. Being able to work and connect with other like-minded people is one of the best things that has come from doing what I do. David Mawdsley, who recently moved to Nike as a footwear designer, has been a massive influence. Last year I met Mathieu Hagelaars from Studio Hagel and Peterson Stoop who are Amsterdam based designers, merging together sustainability and beautiful shoe designs that you just wouldn’t think are possible. Having the opportunity to meet and connect with people on the same wavelength as me is the coolest thing.
When it comes to picking a shoe to draw what do you look for?
The first thing is that I actually have to like the shoe! This is the most important rule for me.
Next, I look at the texture of the shoe as my work is centred around this. I love how simple yet complex texture can be to get right. There’s always a process in everything that I do. For example, drawing leather would be completely different to drawing suede. At the minute I’m drawing the leather on the Union Air Jordan 1s and 10 minutes earlier I was drawing the grey fluffy material at the top. It’s tough to reset your brain and start drawing something completely different at times!
I really try to get the materials as life like as possible. If I’m lucky enough to have the shoe in front of me then it makes the process much easier. If not I work from photographs which are super hi-res.
Every shoe you draw has so many different materials on it. How do you tackle all the various design elements that go into each shoe?
It changes piece by piece and I just go where my hand wants to go really. With the Travis Scott Air Jordan 1s, I just wanted all of that suede texture out of the way. After two or three hours, I get into a rhythm and it becomes more of repetition than anything else. If I start to jump to different areas on the paper and then go back to suede my hand takes some time to get back into it. It sounds weird but that’s just how it is.
I’ll try and do the full section of each shoe at a time. I like to work quite systematically so I’ll focus on the panels, then the laces, then the toe box for example. It makes sense for me work like this so that I can get to grips with the difference in each texture.
What’s been the hardest shoe that you have drawn?
The Nike React Element 87 in the OG Sail colourway. I got about halfway through and wanted it to be over so bad! It was the only shoe that I really couldn’t wait to finish. It took so long and it felt impossible at times getting the translucent effect onto the paper. If the translucent material didn’t look right then the shoe would have been completely off. It’s the only piece that has sucked all the joy out of my process haha. I’d be happy to never draw another one again!
Have you been getting any early releases since you started drawing full time?
Haha I sometimes do yeah! It’s a lot easier for me to pick stuff up now which would have been impossible 2/3 years ago. But I’m extremely lucky and very grateful. It’s definitely one of the perks of the job!
Why do you think creating unique content is so important nowadays?
Instagram is so diluted now. Everything that you’ve seen you’ve already seen before in some other form. It’s hard to get away from that but as an artist in a very oversaturated market, it’s important for me to constantly push myself with execution and I always try and improve from piece to piece. I don’t think that artists are ever really satisfied with their work, we are our own biggest critics at times but that’s important too.
I’m all about pushing boundaries with my work and I am constantly seeking to develop my craft. I think it’s incredibly important for creatives to be unique in their work, having something that sets you apart from the rest or finding something niche to explore.
What’s on your feet right now?
Nothing as I am in the studio! However, the last pair I did have on was my size? X Reebok Workouts in the purple pastel colourway. I think there were only 500 pairs released back in 2015 and I love them.
What are the top three trainers in your collection?
That’s a tough one! It’s constantly changing due to the weather. I would say at the minute it would be my Nike Air Force 1 PSNY Highs, my multicoloured Nike Blazers 77’ and my Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1s.
I’m jealous of the Travis Scott’s!
It was difficult for me to get them so they hold a special place. I didn’t think I was gonna get them but thankfully someone came through in the end.
What makes a pair of trainers or a streetwear item stand out to you?
I think if something is pushing boundaries design-wise then I am automatically interested. Going back to designers like Peterson-Stoop, they marry beauty with sustainability. When I went to the studio last year to meet the team, I was totally blown away by the creative process and how they see the world.
Stuff that is super creative and that encourages you to see outside the box always interests me. If something has a story and merges opposites then that for me is something that I enjoy. Functionality and wearability are also very important.
What is your favourite brand and what collaboration would you like to see in the future?
I can’t say just one brand, it would be too hard! Brands like Carharrt, Kith, Aime Leon Dore, Stussy and Parra are my probably my favourite. I like to combine really loud pieces with quiet pieces. I like things that are super simple to wear and often find myself shopping more in the men’s than women’s!
What advice would you give to an aspiring artist?
That’s a good question. I would say be prepared to be told “no” plenty of times! If you can keep your head up when it feels impossible that’s already half the battle won. I have been told no plenty of times in the past and people don’t see that. People don’t see the journey. Consistency is key.
I would also encourage you to create your own path. You don’t have to go to uni or art school just because that is what we are told. I nearly dropped out of uni a few times. I don’t regret it but I could have definitely gone down another route if I was a little bolder at the time. You also have to learn to take things with a pinch of salt because not everyone will like your work. People will judge and criticise and they love to point out your flaws but that’s just part of the process and in a way it’s important to use that and self reflect.
What have you got coming up in the next few months?
I don’t like to plan too far ahead because my work takes so long to complete but I have some exciting plans for the start of next year. I’ve got ComplexCon at the end of the month and have a new series of work planned for the start of the year so I can’t wait to see how that goes. Next year’s aim is to go even bigger. 2019 has been such an amazing year and I’ve been very blessed with some amazing opportunities and met some incredible people along the way. Onwards and upwards.
Thanks for chatting with us today, Steph!
Thank you for having me.
Final Thoughts
Having spoken to Steph for just 20 minutes, it is easy to see why she has gained so much respect in the sneaker community. The level of detail throughout Steph’s work is nothing short of mesmerising and her ability to capture the minor elements of a shoe is simply amazing. Her unrelenting passion, clear commitment to her craft and love of sneakers shows. We look forward to seeing how big 2020 is for her and hope to welcome her back to KLEKT soon.
